You know what they say (who ever they are) about the way to hell .... but here we are several weeks later trying to catch up.15th April
A visit from Jojo and François who are on holiday in the area. For Jojo an opportunity to, practise her English and for Fraçois and Christian an opportunity to talk "Total".
16th April
There's no such thing as a free apéritif! This evening Jany, Jean, Maurice, Rosie and Joëlle came by to be plied with drink and discuss their contribution to la fête de Sant Jordi. All's fair and all that!
17th April
A surprise invitation for dinner at Bernard and Françoise's, the Belgian couple that we met recently who have a holiday home on the outskirts of the village. We were joined by their neighbours Francis and Simone and had an excellent evening which kicked off with champagne and worked its way through some very good wine. It was plain to see that we were among the connisseurs!
18th April
A really busy day that started with the unveiling of a commemoration stone to 4 prominent Spanish republicans who passed into France in 1939. Situated in the middle of nowhere there was a choice of a good half an hour's walk from the road or a lift in a dodge military vehicle. No prizes for guessing who took which option. It was a dignified ceremony in the presence of a survivor of the war and several children and young people. The organisers even managed to have music (flute and keyboard) and cava served in real glasses! 
Walking back down to the village I didn't feel guilty about the substantial lunch with a dozen others that awaited us. Afterwards there was a quick visit to an exibition (food and culture are always a 
good mix) and then on to the local Mairie for a twinning ceremony. It's just great to be part of these happenings which helps to make up for all the hours that Christian passes doing his civic duty! We weren't able to stay on for the concert as the local sardane group were cooking up 360 eggs to make Easter omelettes for those 
who had donated the week before. Is it any wonder that Marie -Louise looks as if there's no end to the the cooking! It was a good evening with a number of Brits and two Irish who were also present. I can tell you that one of the best ways to be accepted here is to learn to dance the sardane so that's perhaps why, the expats in the village are not subjected to the same animosity as elsewhere in France. That and the fact that they're pretty decent not in your face type folk! 19th April
Up early to see the Maratrail (42kms worth) pass through Maureillas which was a designated watering hole. I was a bit reluctant to put this photo as the table looks really meagre but Christian looks good so what the heck! We should have gone up to Rowena's for lunch but coming over the rough forest road yesterday we got a puncture. Later in the afternoon we went to the concert given by our friend Jean and others and then to Juste and Joséphine's for apéritifs which stretched out to celebrate her birthday.20th April
The bad news is that the tyre cost us 450€ and that was with a discount! Originally they said that it couldn't be done for 4 days but when Christian said he wouldn't buy Toyota again and suddenly they were able to fit him in.
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